Guidebook for Chicago

Amy
Guidebook for Chicago

Food Scene

Great burgers right around the corner. Fried cheese curds and the warm pretzels are a must.
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Farm Bar
1300 W Wellington Ave
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Great burgers right around the corner. Fried cheese curds and the warm pretzels are a must.
Tiny breakfast/lunch spot famous for chicken and waffles- there is always a huge line outside, so go early in the morning.
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Batter & Berries
2748 N Lincoln Ave
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Tiny breakfast/lunch spot famous for chicken and waffles- there is always a huge line outside, so go early in the morning.
Delicious cocktails and fresh fish prepared creatively
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Fish Bar
2956 N Sheffield Ave
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Delicious cocktails and fresh fish prepared creatively
Not the best sushi you've ever had, but certainly the cheapest with rolls starting at $2.95.
Gorilla sushi
1408 W Diversey Pkwy
Not the best sushi you've ever had, but certainly the cheapest with rolls starting at $2.95.
Iconic local sandwich place that is going national but remains delicious
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Potbelly Sandwich Shop
3424 N Southport Ave
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Iconic local sandwich place that is going national but remains delicious
Old school Italian deli with awesome made to order sandwiches- try the porchetta!
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J.P. Graziano Grocery
901 W Randolph St
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Old school Italian deli with awesome made to order sandwiches- try the porchetta!
So many choices!
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DAVIDsTEA
924 W Armitage Ave
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So many choices!
Exceptional dining with a seasonal menu in an absolutely gorgeous setting.
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North Pond
2610 N Cannon Dr
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Exceptional dining with a seasonal menu in an absolutely gorgeous setting.
Charming, locally owned coffee shop where you can coincidentally also repair or buy a custom built bike.
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Heritage Bicycles
2959 N Lincoln Ave
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Charming, locally owned coffee shop where you can coincidentally also repair or buy a custom built bike.
This is our backup spot for when Batter & Berries wait is too long. Chilaquiles are great!
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Bakin' & Eggs: A Lovely Idea
3120 N Lincoln Ave
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This is our backup spot for when Batter & Berries wait is too long. Chilaquiles are great!
Mario Batali's huge flagship marketplace featuring all things Italian- authentic ingredients and a handful of different restaurants, along with wine so you can eat, sip, shop- spend the whole day!
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Eataly Chicago
43 E Ohio St
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Mario Batali's huge flagship marketplace featuring all things Italian- authentic ingredients and a handful of different restaurants, along with wine so you can eat, sip, shop- spend the whole day!
Delicious, fresh Italian, definitely recommended for summer since it has the most beautiful patio in the city.
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Piccolo Sogno
464 N Halsted St
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Delicious, fresh Italian, definitely recommended for summer since it has the most beautiful patio in the city.
The patio here is a total scene. Food is very good but many find it overpriced. It's still a great place to waste a Sunday afternoon drinking margaritas!
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Barcocina
2901 N Sheffield Ave
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The patio here is a total scene. Food is very good but many find it overpriced. It's still a great place to waste a Sunday afternoon drinking margaritas!
While most would argue that Lou Malnati's serves the best Chicago-style deep dish pizza, our family favorite has always been Bacino's. The crust is light, almost like a saltine cracker, and the sauce is a little sweet, tastes like garden fresh tomatoes. You can even order unbaked frozen pies to take home with you at the end of your trip!
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Bacino's of Lincoln Park
2204 North Lincoln Avenue
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While most would argue that Lou Malnati's serves the best Chicago-style deep dish pizza, our family favorite has always been Bacino's. The crust is light, almost like a saltine cracker, and the sauce is a little sweet, tastes like garden fresh tomatoes. You can even order unbaked frozen pies to take home with you at the end of your trip!
Great, fresh seafood in a super-casual, cozy atmosphere. When in season, the soft shell crab is a must.
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Half Shell
676 W Diversey Pkwy
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Great, fresh seafood in a super-casual, cozy atmosphere. When in season, the soft shell crab is a must.
Pizza pot pie! To die for.
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Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company
2121 North Clark Street
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Pizza pot pie! To die for.
Yes, this is a restaurant inside of a Restoration Hardware store. The food is quite good but the atmosphere is beautiful- relax on RH furniture in a large, light-filled atrium while you enjoy the yummy food and a prosecco.
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3 Arts Club Cafe
1300 N Dearborn St
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Yes, this is a restaurant inside of a Restoration Hardware store. The food is quite good but the atmosphere is beautiful- relax on RH furniture in a large, light-filled atrium while you enjoy the yummy food and a prosecco.
Just awesome deep dish pizza. This place is known for its "caramelized" (some call it burnt) crust, and often for the long wait (both to be seated and for your pizza to come out).
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Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn Avenue
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Just awesome deep dish pizza. This place is known for its "caramelized" (some call it burnt) crust, and often for the long wait (both to be seated and for your pizza to come out).

Drinks & Nightlife

Great people watching bar
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Coda di Volpe
3335 N Southport Ave
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Great people watching bar
Fabulous chi-chi atmosphere
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Ella Elli
1349 W Cornelia Ave
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Fabulous chi-chi atmosphere
Awesome place to experiment with what seems like millions of craft beers.
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Beermiscuous
2812 N Lincoln Ave
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Awesome place to experiment with what seems like millions of craft beers.
Friendly neighborhood bar with cozy beer garden
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Will's Northwoods Inn
3030 N Racine Ave
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Friendly neighborhood bar with cozy beer garden
Free video games, pinball and Wednesday night Psycho Bingo!
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Replay Lincoln Park
2833 N Sheffield Ave
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Free video games, pinball and Wednesday night Psycho Bingo!

Getting Around

Ventra cards can be purchased or reloaded at the station using cash or credit card
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Diversey station
943 W Diversey Pkwy
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Ventra cards can be purchased or reloaded at the station using cash or credit card
Taking the El to Wrigley Field: take the brown or purple line north (towards Kimball or Linden, respectively) then transfer at Belmont to the red line towards Howard.
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Wellington station
945 W Wellington Ave
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Taking the El to Wrigley Field: take the brown or purple line north (towards Kimball or Linden, respectively) then transfer at Belmont to the red line towards Howard.
Divvy bike passes are $9.95 per day. Bikes can be checked out as many times as you want during the day for up to 30 minutes at a time. Bikes can be returned to any Divvy station- get the Chicago Bikes app, it locates the nearest Divvy station and tells you how many bikes (or spaces for return) are available.
Divvy Station: Lincoln Ave & Diversey Parkway
Divvy bike passes are $9.95 per day. Bikes can be checked out as many times as you want during the day for up to 30 minutes at a time. Bikes can be returned to any Divvy station- get the Chicago Bikes app, it locates the nearest Divvy station and tells you how many bikes (or spaces for return) are available.
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Enterprise Rent-A-Car
5313 N Sheridan Rd
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Commuter trains to get you to the suburbs if that's where you're headed.
Clybourn Station
Commuter trains to get you to the suburbs if that's where you're headed.

Entertainment & Activities

Super challenging, but not impossible, escape game for 3-6 people where they do not mix you together with other parties.
Fox In A Box Escape Room Chicago
47 W Polk St
Super challenging, but not impossible, escape game for 3-6 people where they do not mix you together with other parties.
Power recliners, beer and wine. This place ruins you for all other movie theaters.
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Regal Webster Place
1471 W Webster Ave
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Power recliners, beer and wine. This place ruins you for all other movie theaters.
If you can score Hamilton tickets, it's a must-see- believe the hype!
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I-CIBC Theatre
18 W Monroe St
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If you can score Hamilton tickets, it's a must-see- believe the hype!
Charming old theater showing second run movies and serving beer, popcorn and candy. You can also occasionally catch a concert here- great small venue for music.
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The Brew & View
3145 N Sheffield Ave
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Charming old theater showing second run movies and serving beer, popcorn and candy. You can also occasionally catch a concert here- great small venue for music.
Iconic comedy club where seemingly most of the SNL cast got their start before being cast on the show.
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The Second City
230 W North Ave
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Iconic comedy club where seemingly most of the SNL cast got their start before being cast on the show.

Essentials

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Trader Joe's
667 W Diversey Pkwy
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Amazing selection of seasonal produce and meat from regional farms. Come hungry and get a Gayle's Grilled Cheese, so good!
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Green City Market Lincoln Park
1817 N Clark St
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Amazing selection of seasonal produce and meat from regional farms. Come hungry and get a Gayle's Grilled Cheese, so good!
Brand-new, gigantic flagship Whole Foods. You can spend the whole day in here.
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Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted St
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Brand-new, gigantic flagship Whole Foods. You can spend the whole day in here.
The best grocery store in the world. Combines the best features of Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and the big supermarket chains.
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Mariano's
2021 W Chicago Ave
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The best grocery store in the world. Combines the best features of Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and the big supermarket chains.
Quick and convenient
Tide Cleaners
2936 N Lincoln Ave
Quick and convenient
While they don't stock every brand that a major supermarket would have, they do seem to carry just about anything you might need. Think more variety than a 7-11, but less than a supermarket. Excellent selection of beer and wine, and fantastic deli. And SO close to the house!
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South Loop Market
1720 S Michigan Ave
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While they don't stock every brand that a major supermarket would have, they do seem to carry just about anything you might need. Think more variety than a 7-11, but less than a supermarket. Excellent selection of beer and wine, and fantastic deli. And SO close to the house!

Parks & Nature

Wonderful place for kids and adults. The skating ribbon is ice in the winter, concrete in summer for rollerblading. Mini golf and epic playground also make this park a great family destination.
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Maggie Daley Park
337 E Randolph St
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Wonderful place for kids and adults. The skating ribbon is ice in the winter, concrete in summer for rollerblading. Mini golf and epic playground also make this park a great family destination.
Big, uncrowded and clean beach. The Dock is the cafe at the beach, where you can get a burger and a beer, and occasionally catch some live music in the summer. Stand up paddle boards are also available for rent at this beach.
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Montrose Beach
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Big, uncrowded and clean beach. The Dock is the cafe at the beach, where you can get a burger and a beer, and occasionally catch some live music in the summer. Stand up paddle boards are also available for rent at this beach.
Surprisingly pretty golf course right on the lake. Usually somewhat crowded, so expect to be paired with another twosome if you go as a pair. Tee times can be made online.
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Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course
3701 N Recreation Dr
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Surprisingly pretty golf course right on the lake. Usually somewhat crowded, so expect to be paired with another twosome if you go as a pair. Tee times can be made online.
2.7 mile long walking/biking trail built on a former railroad track, very cool way to check out the Wicker Park/Bucktown and Humboldt Park neighborhoods.
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The 606
1805 North Ridgeway Avenue
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2.7 mile long walking/biking trail built on a former railroad track, very cool way to check out the Wicker Park/Bucktown and Humboldt Park neighborhoods.
18 mile trail for pedestrians and bikers, easily accessible at the lakefront, just go east and you will run into it! Portions of the trail have separate jog and bike lanes.
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Lakefront Trail
Lakefront Trail
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18 mile trail for pedestrians and bikers, easily accessible at the lakefront, just go east and you will run into it! Portions of the trail have separate jog and bike lanes.
Rent electric boats by the hour, bring your food and drinks and tour the river.
Chicago Electric Boat Company
300 N State St
Rent electric boats by the hour, bring your food and drinks and tour the river.

Sightseeing

Beautiful zoo, and admission is free!
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Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark St
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Beautiful zoo, and admission is free!
The Bean!
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Umgangatho wezulu
201 E Randolph St
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The Bean!
So much beautiful architecture along the Chicago River, and these tour guides really know their stuff.
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Chicago Architecture River Cruise
Riverwalk
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So much beautiful architecture along the Chicago River, and these tour guides really know their stuff.